May 1, 2020 by Jewish Rhode Island

The Voice of Greater Rhode Islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish Community

JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

MAY 2020 | IYAR | SIVAN 5780

JEWISHRHODY.ORG

How are we doing? Mixed experiences reported by local businesses

Up close and personal with our pets

Thoughts on social distancing

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JEWISH RHODE ISL AND

EDITOR Fran Ostendorf DESIGN & LAYOUT Leah Camara ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Peter Zeldin pzeldin@jewishallianceri.org 401-421-4111, ext. 160 Karen Borger ksborger@gmail.com 401-529-2538 CONTRIBUTORS Cynthia Benjamin, Larry Kessler, Michael Schemaille COLUMNISTS Michael Fink, Geraldine Foster, Patricia Raskin, Rabbi James Rosenberg, Daniel Stieglitz

VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE V JEWISH RHODE ISLAND

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THE MISSION OF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND is to communicate Jewish news, ideas and ideals by connecting and giving voice to the diverse views of the Jewish community in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, while adhering to Jewish values and the professional standards of journalism. ALL SUBMITTED CONTENT becomes the property of Jewish Rhode Island. Announcements and opinions contained in these pages are published as a service to the community and do not necessarily represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or its publisher, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. We reserve the right to refuse publication and edit submitted content. COPY DEADLINES: All news releases, photographs, etc., must be received on the Wednesday 10 days prior to publication. Submissions may be sent to: editor@jewishallianceri.org. ADVERTISING: We do not accept adver-

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Just another day in quarantine I AM HAPPY TO STAY at home and do my part to stop the spread of that nasty coronavirus. But have you noticed how the days seem to blend together? I occasionally find myself stopping to ask, “What day is it anyway?” When you work for a newspaper, you can’t afford to lose track of days. Sometimes, when I worked at a daily newspaper, I would be working ahead a day or two and I’d get confused by that. But losing track of all days – I never would have dreamed it possible. Is this a normal side effect of being largely locked up in the house for seven weeks, or a warning sign that I’m losing all sense of time? I would be really worried, but I keep hearing others tell the same tale. Most experts blame this on losing your daily anchors, like dropping the children at school, heading out to work daily, and attending recurring events. That makes sense to me. Here’s an example of a recent day. I started the day with a Zoom meeting. I thought the day would continue with some phone calls, a whole lot of emails, connecting with a source for an interview, and then some writing. I’d eat lunch around noon and, perhaps, get in a quick walk. ON THE COVER: What realMARK GLAZER ly happened? AT DAVIS DAIRY The Zoom meeting and PHOTO | GLENN OSMUNDSON a whole lot of emails. Yes, there were phone calls, but none of the ones I’d expected. And interspersed were text messages about an ongoing family challenge, and then a quick unscheduled trip to the outdoor mailbox at our local post office, and on and on – basically, another anchorless day in self-isolation. It’s no wonder that I have to stop and figure out which day is which. Fortunately, I’ve always been a list-maker, and I’m a big advocate of writing everything on a calendar. So I have not missed any meetings or phone calls. Yet. Desk alerts and notifications help bring me back to reality if I stray a bit. Experts recommend that you look to routines to anchor your day – but I’m not so sure that works for all of us. Here are some things I’ve learned during these seemingly endless days at home:

Charlotte

• I’m not a “routine” kind of person. I thought I was. I generally get up at the same time each day … until I don’t. My body tells me when it’s lunchtime and dinnertime. Until I get involved in a project and miss a meal entirely. Experts say routine during times like these can help you stay engaged and keep your mood up. It just makes me feel caged. • Exercise to jumpstart my day doesn’t work; it doesn’t work to end my day either. Sometimes it helps in the middle of the day, though. I sometimes go for a 6-feet-apart walk with my neighbor. That kind of works. I’m trying online exercise classes, including the great lineup from J-Fitness. But again, routine has not been my friend. • Charlotte, our cat, is not an effective or helpful co-worker. As you can see from the photo, she’d much rather nap on the job.

• There can be too much togetherness. My husband and I are both still working more than full time. Luckily, he can go to his office, which is nearby and empty at the moment, lending one aspect of normalcy to our lives. Since he is on the phone or leading webinars all day, and I have frequent interviews and conference calls, both of us working from home might have been too much.

• I am grateful to be able to work at home to protect my health. As corny and oft-repeated as it is, it’s still true that most Americans have much to be thankful for in the midst of so much suffering around the world. I hope that our newspaper and newsletter brings a little of our community back to your homebound lives. Those of us who contribute to putting out this paper are as busy as ever, it’s just in a slightly different way. Emails still come from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island because we are all connected by the internet. Phone calls now come from personal phone numbers, but they still come. Advertising sales are down, but we hope our loyal advertisers will return when they can. Please remember them if you need goods and services. They help sustain your newspaper. And we need your help, too. Our Patron Campaign continues. I know everyone is watching their pennies during these unsettled times, but if you enjoy having a local Jewish newspaper, please consider making a contribution before the end of June. I guarantee you won’t be sorry. And to you, our loyal readers, stay safe and enjoy the furry friends in this issue!

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D’VAR TORAH

Have faith that better times are ahead

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we climb up out of the ashes of slavery into our higher selves, we are repairing our broken vessels in order to receive the light of Torah at Mount Sinai. Weighed down by the trauma of 400 years of slavery, we are still in a very low place. The Nile River valley is also geographically much lower than the Sinai wilderness and the land of Israel. So this is the time of our physical and spiritual ascent from Egypt. As we leave the familiar world of Egypt behind us and walk into the unknown wilderness, we are scared but we are not alone. RABBI AARON Look ahead and you PHILMUS can see that the Great Spirit is guiding us with the elements of fire, water and air. There is a pillar of cloud by day and an amud eish, a pillar of fire, by night guiding us through the wilderness. When it is time to rest, the cloud or the fire settles around the entire camp to protect us; when it is time to get up and go, the fire or cloud collects itself into a pillar that leads us like a shepherd’s staff through the wilderness. In Egypt, our people were fruitful and multiplied from a small family into a great nation. We grew within the womb of the fertile Nile River valley, and were plucked out by the hand of God. Birth is always associated with water: The fetus is surrounded by amniotic fluids, the mother’s water breaks as a sign of imminent birth. Like a woman in labor, the

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JEWISH HOLIDAYS ARE ROOTED in historical events and in the life cycles of plants indigenous to the land of Israel. We are now in the time of the Omer. On the day after the full moon of Pesach, our ancestors harvested an omer (sheaf) from the first barley harvest and brought it as an offering to the Kohanim (priests) in the Temple. The Kohanim would separate out the fresh barley kernels, roast them and grind them into flour. Then they mixed some in olive oil and frankincense, waved the bowl in all seven directions, and dropped a handful on the altar fire. They made the rest into cakes and ate them to share a meal with God. We count each day for seven weeks from the beginning of the barley harvest to the beginning of the wheat harvest on Shavuot. We remember the agricultural rituals because they connect us to the land of Israel and because we hope to someday restore these practices. In addition to the harvests, each Jewish holiday commemorates a specific event that occurred in our history. Although it only happened once, on a mystical level these events opened up wellsprings of spiritual power that are available to us every year. We step inside the story, as if it is happening to us in real time, to reenact its power to heal and transform us. The Torah instructs us to count each night during these seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot – from Egypt to Mount Sinai. As

children of Israel were terrified when they reached the edge of the sea. Pharaoh’s army was right behind them, and they had nowhere to go. They moaned and cried out to their creator and said, “Were there not enough graves in Egypt that you had to bring us out here to die in the wilderness?” One brave soul from the Tribe of Judah pressed forward into the water until it was up to his nose. He was like a baby pressing against the amniotic sac – and this is when the water broke. Moses raised his staff and stretched it out over the sea, causing it to split into two walls of water, with dry land in the middle. The children of Israel walked down into the middle of the sea to escape Pharaoh’s army. Despite this great miracle, they were still terrified. “How are we not dead right now? Will these walls of water stay long enough for us to get out?” We too are walking through the unknown wilderness right now. Will we and our loved ones survive this pandemic? Will we lose our jobs? How long will this lockdown last? Where are we going? It’s very scary when even our leaders don’t seem to know what will happen next. We look to that pillar of fire that is leading us through the dark night, it is the light of our faith, the inner light of our souls that guides us through this foreign wilderness. All of humanity is in a birthing moment right now, which is why it is so painful and scary. We know something new is being born, but we cannot see its face yet. Our sages teach that this is a yeridah l’tzorech aliyah, “descent for the purpose of

ascent.” We experience distance from God in order to draw close. We fall in order to rise even higher than before. We are now amid a global descent that is causing us to draw closer to the light. During this pandemic, we are birthing something entirely new from within ourselves individually and for society as a whole. We know this because it is proven by history. After World War I, there was a surging economy and a creative renaissance, which we now call the Roaring Twenties. After World War II, there was the baby boom, the rise of the middle class, so many new social services – and out of the darkness of the Holocaust came the state of Israel. It is inevitable that at the end of this narrow passage, we will birth something completely new and emerge much higher and stronger than we were before. These are the birth pangs of the Moshiach (messiah) being born. It is painful and scary, but we know that it is ultimately for the greater good. As Rebbe Nachman of Breslov famously taught, the entire world is a very narrow bridge swinging in the wind, and the most important thing is to not make ourselves more afraid by constantly looking down. When we feel lost in this wilderness, we must look ahead to the pillar of cloud and fire that is guiding us, even if we don’t know where we are going or when we will arrive. AARON PHILMUS is the rabbi at Temple Torat Yisrael, in East Greenwich.

R.I. Jewish Historical Association is keeping busy so you can too ALTHOUGH RHODE ISLAND Jewish Historical Association’s office and archives are currently closed due to the coronavirus, Executive Director Kate-Lynne Laroche and Secretary Jaime Walden have been working remotely to increase RIJHA’s digital outreach. Working from home has given the staff an opportunity to upload hundreds of issues of the various newspapers, dating back to 1929, published prior to the current Jewish Rhode Island. Laroche and Walden are also working on the best way to upload RIJHA’s vast obituary collection – over 12,000 obits collected or donated over the years. This work is giving the community access to some of RIJHA’s genealogical re-

ing to genealogy research now that they have the time. Making resources available for members and non-members alike to access from the safety of their own homes is a small way RIJHA can help. So check out the RIJHA website, at www.rijha.org, and if you have a research request, or if you have a fam-

ily collection you’ve stumbled upon while quarantine cleaning, and would like to donate that collection to the R.I. Jewish Historical Association Archive, send an email to info@rijha.org. Submitted by the Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association.

Candle lighting times Greater Rhode Island

May, 2020 Nov. 1930 issue of The Jewish Herald.

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sources without the need to make a trip to the office or put in a research request. The online genealogical and historical information has opened the door for countless family researchers to knit together their family’s

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stories by finding relatives and learning more about family businesses and lost or misplaced family relics. With the stay-at-home and social-distancing requirements we are currently living under, lots of folks are turn-

May 28 Erev Shavu’ot 7:51 p.m. May 29 Shavu’ot

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CORONAVIRUS: IN OUR COMMUNITY

Experiences are mixed for local business owners BY JEWISH RHODE ISLAND STAFF AS MANY OF US STAY AT HOME to ride out the COVID-19 virus, Jewish Rhode Island wondered how local businesses were weathering the stay-at-home orders. We asked a few local businesspeople for their insights; here’s what they told us: MARK GLAZER, OF DAVIS DAIRY PRODUCTS on Hope Street in Providence, reports that the effects of COVID-19 on his business are “hard to say, because it’s been Passover and I really don’t know how much of a change there’s been.” He said that over the holiday, they received their “usual Passover crowd.” The store is currently limiting patronage to two customers at a time and has been able to keep its regular hours. HARRY ADLER, OF ADLER’S HARDWARE on Wickenden Street in Providence, says that he has seen an increased demand for paint from homeowners working on their home interiors, but reduced demand from contractors due to social distancing constraints. “We’re figuring out how to make things work as safely and efficiently as possible,” he said, adding that while the store is not open to the public, it offers curbside pickup and home delivery in the greater Providence area. “If people are

Adler’s Hardware uncomfortable coming out, we’ll come to them. Our priority is to keep the community as safe as we can.” FREDA RONKIN, OF AHAVA CATERING in Providence, is offering daily, no-contact, curbside pick-up and delivery. She has been providing daily delivery

of boxed lunches for seniors, and reports that she is “delivering kosher meals to anyone in need right now,” including bringing food to staff at Boston-area hospitals. Ronkin said that “anyone in need of meals at this time should feel free to call [her].” CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Seventy-one years after Israel fought for its independence, Magen David Adom is helping the country battle a different enemy. The coronavirus pandemic is indeed a war. Even if Israel can keep mortality rates for those infected to 1 percent, it will still mean the death of more than 30,000 people — more than all of Israel’s wars combined. Magen David Adom has been on the front lines against the coronavirus, but the fight has taken an extraordinary toll on MDA’s resources. We need your support to keep saving lives. Observe Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s independence day, by keeping the people of Israel strong. Give today to our Coronavirus Emergency Campaign at afmda.org/corona-campaign

afmda.org/corona-campaign

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 JANE LINDEN, OF PROVIDENCE RIVER ANIMAL HOSPITAL in Providence, has a staff member pick up pets in carriers from their owners’ cars, and only animals and staff are allowed in the office. “Our available appointment slots are completely full,” she said. The office has cut back the number of appointments and is rotating doctors. She emphasized the need for routine pet care. “Our business is definitely less than it would be; people have canceled routine appointments. We are grateful that we are able to be there for people.” SUSAN BENZULY, OF EVOLVE APOTHECARY on Hope Street in Providence, writes that “We are in awe of the community who continues to support us, thinking of Sarah who orders something every Friday to show her support. (We continue to take phone and email orders.) More than the bump to our meager account, it is her belief in us that makes me weep.” She reports that her staff, for the most part, is managing. “They are the heart of our business and I worry about them costantly. On our team we have a single mom; someone who had just made an offer on their first home; another who was reestablishing herself in Rhode Island. We are not sure what the future holds, but we are doing our best to hang on. We are grateful to our landlord who has been more than patient. And we are grateful for the solidarity and camaraderie of our fellow merchants. We share tips, compare notes, but mostly continue to root for each other.” BRIAN GOLDMAN, OF BIG BLUE BUG SOLUTIONS in Providence, said that “like most businesses, we were not as prepared as we could have been,” but that they are “taking a ton of precautions to do everything we can to keep everyone safe.” He explained, “We already had PPE due to the nature of our work, and fortunately had it ready,” and described the protocols they’ve instituted to limit interactions between individual workers and between workers and customers. “We’ve set up our parking lot as a drive-through, and supervisors fill the trucks while workers stay in the vehicle.” Goldman also reported that office staff have adapted quickly to working from home, and that “the response from our customers has been fantastic.” RICH STREITFELD, CPA WITH AARONSON LAVOIE STREITFELD DIAZ & CO., and Mortgage Loan Officer with Total Mortgage in Cranston, commented, “In my tax practice, there is urgency – ‘where is my stimulus check, how do I get these loans, how do I stay in business?’ ” Regarding mortgages, Streitfeld said that “people are looking for ways to

Evolve Apothecary save money because of the economic crisis, or if their situation is more stable they are reducing the term of their loan… In both areas, given the economic forecast we expect the intense activity to continue.” He reported that he and his colleagues “have adapted pretty quickly to working remotely, although we miss seeing our clients!” DAN SPECA, OF THE GREENWICH ODEUM in East Greenwich, remarked that performing arts venues were among the first businesses affected by occupancy limits, and said that he expects to “be among the last businesses able to open to capacity.” He noted that planning for the future has been a challenge, saying that “we’re trying to be nimble, but it’s been tricky. I’m optimistic that people will eventually be comfortable enough to gather in large groups, and hopefully they will want to do it with us.” Saying that performing arts events can provide the kind of relief people are looking for, Speca emphasized that “We will be back, and we will be having shows, so hold on to those tickets!” MARC PERLMAN, OF OCEAN STATE JOB LOT, said, “[As] an essential retailer, our store associates are on the front line. We recognize and appreciate their efforts every day.” The chain is thanking its

employees with an additional $2 per hour worked, a 30% employee discount and bonuses paid from the proceeds of a 2% optional surcharge added to all sales. OSJL’s Charitable Foundation has pledged one million masks to front-line personnel, and has so far donated 525,000 surgical and KN95 masks to healthcare workers and first-responders, including “police and fire departments in all 140 communities where our stores are located.” The chain has also “given away enough free fabric to our customers to make 1.5 million masks.” As part of OSJL’s ongoing commitment to end food insecurity, the company has hosted two “drive-through food banks” at Pawtucket’s Mc Coy Stadium. Those events distributed food to more than 1,200 and 1,500 Pawtucket residents, respectively. “As far as returning to the ‘old normal,’ ” said Perlman, “It will be a long time before that happens. In the meantime, we are learning so much about ourselves and our capacity to innovate and perform under pressure.” He concluded, “It’s part of our corporate mission to give back to the communities where we live and work. Now, more than ever, we are motivated to use our resources and unique skill sets to find opportunities to do so. We’re all in this together.”

OUR COMMUNITY IS HERE FOR YOU Follow us on Facebook: Jewish Rhode Island Visit us online: www.jewishrhody.org Get our monthly newsletter by registering online or sending your email address to: editor@ jewishallianceri.org.

We understand that the COVID-19 crisis may be a challenging time for you or someone you know. If you are in need of emergency support, mental health services, or if you are facing other challenges during this crisis, please reach out to Jewish Collaborative Services at 401.331.1244.

MAY 2020

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COMMUNITY VOICES | OPINION

The privilege of social distancing

Now’s the Time

THIS PAST MARCH 3, the day of the Super Tuesday Democratic primary showdown between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, I made my final diary entry in the volume I had begun more than two years earlier. It felt like business as usual as I sat writing at a long, crowded table in my “office” at the Wayland Square Starbucks. My recorded thoughts and feelings were scattered like mixed seeds: After his amazing victory in South Carolina, would Biden’s momentum continue? A friend in Brooklyn, New York, had recently turned the corner in his recovery from total knee replacement, which was complicated by a post-surgery infection. Following a recent Friday evening service at Temple Habonim, five of the Barrington synagogue’s past presidents, from “my day,” happened to arrange themselves in a semicircle – unintentional but powerful testimony to generational loyalty and continuity. A first reflection on Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It,” which my son-in-law had urged me to read. As I continued to write, I had no sense of the coronavirus silently creeping in “on little cat feet.” By the time I began a new diary notebook about a month later, on April 5, it was clear that I was now living in a brave new world; everybody could hear COVID-19 roaring like a ravenous tiger. As we go to press, the insatiable plague has sickened more than 3 million men, women and children and killed more than 225,000 – and forced millions to remain physically separated from family, friends and neighbors. So much emptiness: classrooms without students or teachers; stadiums without players or fans; bars,

restaurants, libraries, museums, theaters, concert halls, small local stores, giant shopping malls, even municipal parks and playgrounds – all closed until further notice, or, perhaps, never to open again. Can we ever return to the world that was? Will there ever be such a thing as “normal”? If so, what will this new normal look like, feel like, sound like? During this stressful wrinkle in time, large RABBI JAMES numbers of us, like MacROSENBERG Shakespeare’s beth, feel “cabined, cribbed, confined.” Nevertheless, it seems to me that many in our local Jewish community – but by no means all of us – find ourselves in a social and economic position that eases our burden of enforced social distancing. We have access to all the food we need – although perhaps we can’t be as picky as usual. We have access to sophisticated technology so that many of us can work from home. When we feel the need for social connection, we can Zoom away to our hearts’ content. While our recent seder nights were different from all other seder nights in the long course of our collective history, Zoom made it possible for us to celebrate Pesach with our families; though we could not touch them, we could see them and hear them and, most importantly, feel them. For many of us, social distancing is a privilege we should not take for granted. Indeed, the headline of Charles M. Blow’s April 6 column on the op-ed page of The New York Times gives voice to those very same words: “Social Distancing is a Privilege.” Blow shows his readers how the coronavirus shines a light on our country’s savage inequities: “If you touch people for a living, in elder care

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I’ve never been an activist, a leader or a reader. It took a pandemic to wake me up. If you share even one of my shortcomings, then this message is for you. We have the time now. Time to listen. Time to reflect. Time to discern. Time to challenge our assumptions, so that this November we can vote for the presidential candidate that’s best suited for the office. Why do nearly 49% of Americans believe that President Trump is doing a good job? Let’s examine what might be behind our beliefs and driving our decision-making. One could listen to any single speech by President Trump and believe it to be true. But try listening to his presentations repeatedly to discern inconsistencies. Think critically, not politically. Mr. Trump claims that The New York Times has “All the news that’s not fit to print.” Perhaps he would be correct if truth and accuracy were not issues. Having watched Trump’s daily press conferences since mid-March, I discovered that his words and actions matched consistently with The New York Times reporting. I challenge you to set aside political assumptions and look for the truth. Ask hard questions and allow time to answer them. Seek and find what is honest and life affirming. Be bold and creative. Be a critical thinker. Our survival is at stake. Vote with confidence in November for the person who best reflects the truth because you have spent the time to discover it for yourself. Rosalind Moulton Warren, RI

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LETTER

or child care, if you cut or fix their hair, if you clean their spaces or cook their food, if you drive their cars or build their houses, you can’t do that from home. “Staying home is a privilege. Social distancing is a privilege. “The people who can’t must make terrible choices: Stay home and risk starvation or go to work and risk contagion.” Three days later, on April 9, Samantha Power, a former U.S. permanent ambassador to the United Nations, pointed out on the Times’ op-ed page that the poorest nations face an even greater threat from the coronavirus: “Three billion people are unable to wash their hands at home, making it impossible to follow sanitation protocols.” On a more positive, even visionary, note, let us hope that the undeniable fact of our collective, worldwide vulnerability will help heal us of our racism and xenophobia, help us transcend our us-versus-them mentality. Let us call the disease that is literally a plague upon us by its real name – not the Chinese virus, not the Wuhan virus, but the coronavirus, COVID-19. Our Talmud tells the story of three men sitting in a rowboat in the middle of a lake. All of a sudden, one of the men takes out a drill and begins drilling a hole under his seat. “What in the world are you doing?” the two others cry out in astonishment and fear. “What are you worried about? I’m only drilling the hole under my seat.” We are all – every single one of us – in the same boat. JAMES B. ROSENBERG is rabbi emeritus at Temple Habonim in Barrington. Contact him at rabbiemeritus@templehabonim.org.

London’s Jewish Chronicle saved from extinction BY CNAAN LIPHSHIZ (JTA) – The Jewish Chronicle of London, the world’s longest-running Jewish publication, has been saved from liquidation and transferred to new owners. A consortium from the Jewish community and beyond has reached an agreement with the paper’s former owners, the Kessler Foundation, to take over The Chronicle “with the ultimate goal of establishing a charitable trust to ensure its longterm stability,” wrote editor-in-chief Stephen Pollard in a statement.

Pollard’s statement is the latest twist in a story that began earlier this month, when the Kessler Foundation revealed their plans to dissolve the Chronicle due to the economic crisis prompted by the coronavirus. Leo Noe, the owner of the Jewish News, a competing publication that was supposed to merge with the Chronicle before the crisis hit, also announced that he planned to liquidate his paper. Both papers were rescued by the consortium led by Robbie Gibb, the BBC’s former head of political

programming and a former adviser to former Prime Minister Theresa May. Other members include BBC journalist John Ware; broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti; Rabbi Jonathan Hughes; John Woodcook, a spokesman for former Prime Minister Gordon Brown; and former Charity Commission chairman William Shawcross. The new owners have promised not to interfere with the Chronicle’s editorial independence. “For the first time in many years we have backers who are committed to investing in journalism” wrote Pollard.

The Jewish Chronicle of London

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

OPINION

Should you put your life at risk to help others? Rabbis have been grappling with the question for centuries. BY IRA BEDZOW NEW YORK (JTA) – For a short time, New York state officials enacted controversial guidelines that again tested the inherent tension that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing between our country’s most deeply cherished values – respect for multiculturalism and religious freedom, and the state’s responsibility to promote the common good. On April 17, at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, the Regional Emergency Services Council of New York issued guidelines stating that EMS personnel should not attempt to revive a person if they find him or her in cardiac arrest. The edict was a further push toward public safety over treatment of individuals and respect for moral and religious values than one issued earlier this month, which stated that if EMS workers could not revive a person from cardiac arrest in 20 minutes, they should not transport the patient to the hospital. The new guidelines were aban-

Attempting to save someone who is infected with COVID-19 and in cardiac arrest is not the same as sharing one’s water bottle.

doned only days later, though in practice it is doubtful that they were actually followed. The official statement for its rescission is that the guidelines did not reflect New York’s standards. Nor did they reflect Jewish values. Jewish law recognizes that life is of ultimate value, but it also appreciates that there will be times when saving a life may come at the expense of another. For example, the Talmud tells a story of two people who are stranded in a desert and only one has enough water to survive. Rabbi Akiva offers that the person should not share his water, as it would cause both of them to die. The duty to save another person’s life applies only when “your brother may live with you” and not at one’s own expense. But attempting to save someone who is infected with COVID-19 and in cardiac arrest is not the same as sharing one’s water bottle. While the risk of infection without proper equipment may be high, it is not obvious that continuing CPR will necessarily lead to the EMS worker’s ultimate demise. It could, however, lead to spread of contagion, which may indirectly lead to life-threatening situations. Jewish law does address the extent of one’s duty to save another when the risk to life is potential rather than definite. Rabbinic scholars begin their analysis of this matter with the question addressed to Rabbi David ben Solomon ibn Zimra (who lived in Safed in the 16th century). “What should one do if a government officer tells a Jew: ‘Let me cut off one of your limbs in a way that

you will not die, or I will kill your friend!’” (Responsa Radbaz, 3:627) Of course, attempting to save a patient with COVID-19 is in no way as extreme as this question, but the legal and moral point is analogous. How much should one be willing to sacrifice of themself to save another person’s life? Rabbi David ben Zimri writes that if the risk is not life-threatening, one may endanger one’s health for the sake of another. If, however, there is a risk to one’s life, then attempting to save them is misguided piety. Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (the Chafetz Chaim) writes that one should not put oneself in potentially life-threatening danger to save another from certain danger. However, he adds that one must calculate the situation properly, and be very careful not to rationalize improper risk aversion under the pretense of religious piety. (Mishna Berura 329:19) Rabbi Shmuel HaLevi Wosner (19132015) clarified Rabbi Kagan’s demand for proper calculation. According to Rabbi Wosner, opting for personal safety over attempting to save another is justified only when the chances of putting oneself in life-threatening danger is 50% or greater. When the chances are less than 50%, Rabbi Wosner contends the person has an obligation, or at least should act out of piety, to try to save the other person. If saving another will only risk making a person sick but not in danger to his health, then he is certainly obligated to save the other person. In Jewish law, however, medical professionals may have an even high-

er duty to treat. For example, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Waldenberg (19152006) wrote in Teshuvot Tzitz Eliezer 9:17 that physicians have a higher level of duty toward patients, which stems either from the permission physicians have to heal – a customary expectation of the profession – or because they are compensated for their work. He does add, however, that this greater responsibility comes with greater divine protection from harm, since the person is engaged in such a great mitzvah as saving other people’s lives. We should be thankful that the state’s health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, rescinded the guidelines that challenged medical professionals’ fiduciary responsibilities and potentially their religious and moral values, yet the pandemic will continue to challenge the balance between state priorities and individual liberties. The best way for us to ameliorate these tensions and avoid challenges to our values is for us to avoid creating opportunities for these situations to occur. Rather than fight against reactionary decisions to deal with the problems that COVID-19 keeps presenting, we should continue to be proactive in stopping the contagion. IRA BEDZOW is the director of the Biomedical Ethics and Humanities Program at New York Medical College. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

We can’t take the bond between American and Israeli Jews for granted BY AMBASSADOR DANI DAYAN AMBASSADOR DANI DAYAN, consul general of Israel in New York, last week shared a short message with JTA readers ahead of Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Dear Jewish communities across the United States, I wish to extend my warmest greetings upon the arrival of Yom Ha’Zikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut. While our world faces challenging days, one thing remains certain: The

bond between American Jews and Israeli Jews cannot be taken for granted. Strengthened by our unity, the Jewish people have been blessed with historical and modern-day miracles. After 3,000 years of survival despite unrelenting persecution, our people’s return to our ancient homeland is nothing short of a miracle. As Ben Gurion once said, “In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.” During our recent Zoom seders, we celebrated how miraculously, with the parting of the Red Sea, our people found our way to

freedom and eventually the Promised Land. Still today, we depend upon our strong will – and our belief in miracles – to overcome our struggles as a Jewish people, especially in these perilous times. Every year on Yom Ha’Zikaron, we bow our heads in grief as we remember those soldiers and victims of terror in Israel whose lives have been stolen from us. Our pain is immense; with each life lost to hate, we pray it will be the last. And then comes Yom Ha’Atzmaut, and we lift our heads in pride, our hearts

filled with “Hatikvah” as we rejoice in our people’s re-establishment of our homeland. We are a people of miracles, resilience, and strength – yesterday, today and tomorrow. And while today we cannot stand hand in hand to celebrate together, we know that our bond is deeper than that. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Jewish Rhode Island publishes thoughtful and informative contributors’ columns (op-eds of 500 – 800 words) and letters to the editor (300 words, maximum) on issues of interest to our

Jewish community. At our discretion, we may edit pieces for publication or refuse publication. Letters and columns, whether from our regular contributors or from guest columnists, represent the views of the authors; they do not represent the views of Jewish Rhode Island or the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. Send letters and op-eds to: Jewish Rhode Island, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence, RI 02906 or editor@jewishallianceri.org. Include name, city of residence and a contact phone number or email (not for publication).

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island MAY 2020

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COMMUNITY VOICES

Strategies for staying positive L

HEA

oughly, disinfect, wear masks and practice social distancing. We need to add self-care to that list. This includes getting enough sleep or better sleep, eating healthier foods and exercising – even if it means dancing in your living room or lying on the floor doing leg lifts. The silver lining: there are so many online resources for exercising and self-care. Emotionally, this is a time to reach out to our friends, family, customers, employees and colPATRICIA leagues. We can do this online or, even better, on the phone. This is a RASKIN time to support each other, and an ideal time to reconnect with those whom we have lost touch with because of our usually busy lives. In these times of self-isolation, a phone call or text can make someone’s entire day – perhaps even yours! Spiritually, the new buzz word seems to be mindfulness, and this is especially important when we are cooped up and bored. There are wonderful apps to help with this, including Headspace, Calm, Mindfulness Daily and Insight Timer. Also, use this time to take an inventory of what you have, both internally and externally. What are your gifts? What are your blessings? This includes friends, family, home and the resources readily available to us in our homes and communities. This is also a time to reach out to others who could use

Y L I VI

WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY that actually promotes loneliness and isolation. That seems like an oxymoron because we are all so busy going places and getting involved in activities – but that does not mean we are connected on a deep level. Now, with the coronavirus pandemic, all of this has been accentuated and accelerated. Those of us who were lonely are now lonelier. Those of us who were isolated are now more isolated. In other cultures, community is part of daily living. Outward success and financial achievement are not as important in other cultures as they are here. This is among the reasons why there is so much fear and panic at this time. But enough of that. My goal is to focus on the positives. Financially, for those with steady paychecks, most will be paid. For those who are unemployed, sole proprietors, business owners, independent contractors and those whose businesses depend on steady customers in the doors, there are new government programs to help. And we can reach out to vendors, customers, creditors, landlords for help and understanding. We can also look inward at our needs versus our wants. Healthwise, we all know the recommendations for cleanliness and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic: We know to wash our hands thor-

our help. Environmentally, this is a great time to look at our space and decide what stuff we do not need. We can organize drawers or books, clean out shelves, discard old papers, reorganize the basement and garage, go through our closets. Organizing and reducing clutter is very healing. For me, the lesson is about staying open and creative and positive. Spend some time thinking of new ways to earn money, take care of yourself and loved ones, communicate with others and show up in the world. And don’t forget that connecting with our Jewish community can provide a source of comfort and sustenance. I am single and on my own, and while I do have strong connections, they are not as many as in larger families who live close together. I am getting through this pandemic by being with others virtually. I participated in two Zoom seders this year. They were both so meaningful and special. Although I was “by myself” for the seder, I wasn’t alone. I met new people and really felt connected. Passover had an even deeper meaning for me this year. PATRICIA RASKIN, owner of Raskin Resources Productions, is a media host, coach and award-winning radio producer and business owner. She has served on the board of directors of Temple Emanu-El, in Providence.

Lag B’Omer: A bonfire of memory in my heart

BOOK

SKE

WE JEWS HAVE OUR OWN May Day holiday, which is celebrated with a bonfire. This Lag B’Omer ritual has a number of interpretations; figure out your own favorite. Are the flames a memory of the old Ink Spots song, “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire”? Or the lyrics in the Dinah Shore melody “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To”: “You’d be so nice by the fire”? The Hasidic idea is that the holiday memorializes the inspiration of your rabbi or rebbe. A candle for the MIKE FINK soul of a beloved but bygone person from your own past. I think that every element – water, fire, air, earth – can serve to light up the merry month of May, which also features Mother’s Day. So, in May I make my way to my eldest brother’s house, near Blackstone Boulevard in Providence, to go upstairs and visit the portrait of our mother of long ago and blessed memory. This painting was done right after World War II by our G.I. uncle, Herbert. I believe it was actually my boyhood request to have an image of Betty, but I was never satisfied with any artist’s depiction, nor that of any camera. Nobody could see what I saw in that lovely countenance. Over the decades, though, the large canvas has

grown on me. I think Herb, who was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, was also disappointed, like all veterans of all conflicts, by the victory, and the civilian contrast with the dark and haunting memories soldiers have that they can only share with each other. (The Cold War was a slap in the face to

the liberation that Russia and America and Britain had shared in common, not to even mention the Jewish GIs in particular.) So, there at the top of the stairs, is the large oil of my mother, not wearing a fancy dress nor sitting on an upholstered love seat, but in a in May I make my way work sweatto my eldest brother’s er with no necklace or house, near Blackstone earrings to enhance the Boulevard in Providence, pose. It is as to go upstairs and much – like all art – a visit the portrait of our picture of the mother. artist, Herb, as of his cousin/sister-in-law/friend/fellow artist Betty. I see them both somehow and their era and the spiritual bonfire of their talented search for something I like to call “beauty.” The sun is a giant bonfire whirling endlessly above us, and this May holiday of Lag B’Omer comes to life for me this year within the context of nostalgia for their shared light and bygone times. MIKE FINK (mfink33@aol.com) teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY VOICES

My prayers in the midst of a pandemic have serious consequences – and not just for the economy. Long-term social distancing will threaten our sanity, raise our anxiety levels to record highs and transform our very existence, because human beings weren’t meant to live apart. Yet the reality is that we’re living in a world where handshakes and hugs – two of our simplest and most common expressions of human emotion – may become a distant memory. LARRY Such a dire possibilKESSLER ity has put our most precious commodity – hope – at a premium at precisely the time when we need it the most. With that in mind, and with people who haven’t previously defined themselves as religious taking to praying again, here are my “Prayers in the Midst of a Pandemic.” I’m praying – and hoping – that:

service industry, supermarket and pharmacy employees, those working in doctors’ offices – and all others who are deemed essential – will be able to keep themselves safe. They’re doing vital work, whether they’re striving valiantly to save as many lives as possible or helping the rest of us cling to even a trace of our previous lives.

• An acceptable and effective vaccine will be found for COVID-19 within months, not years.

workforce, will eventually see a return to traditional classroom learning, and will once again enjoy the extracurricular and athletic activities that they, until recently, took for granted.

NG OU KI

S PE A

SO MUCH HAS CHANGED since I wrote my first column on the coronavirus pandemic, in mid-March. Back then, we were neophytes at this social-distancing stuff, and we were naively hopeful that this would end sooner rather than later. Now, as I write this in mid-April, it appears that we’re in this for the long haul; we’re not destined to return to anything approaching “normal” for a very long time. One study, recently reported by newsy.com, even suggested that some forms of social distancing may be needed until 2022, while others suggest there will be no large gatherings until at least 2021, and that some form of social distancing will be required until there’s a reliable vaccine, which is 12 to 18 months away. In the face of such dire predictions – and with no clear-cut consensus on what’s ahead in this titanic struggle against COVID-19 – it’s clear that life as we once knew it may not return for months, if not years. Nonstop social distancing will

• Health-care workers, first responders, delivery people, those in the

• Government leaders at all lev-

els will mirror the action of the U.S. Senate and House in passing economic-aid packages. May they resolve to work diligently to continue to find common ground so that their constituents, who have been hurt so devastatingly by the pandemic, can continue to get the help they need.

• Those same leaders, from the

highest levels of government all the way down to the local level, will vow to put the interests of Americans ahead of their personal and political ambitions.

• Our youth, the nation’s future

• Community fund-

raisers – including road races, golf tournaments and charitable events – will be able to be held again so nonprofit agencies don’t suffer irreparable harm. (Virtual events – even when they’re possible – are a wholly inadequate replacement.)

• Sporting events at all

levels will be able to be enjoyed again, though

no leagues should rush to return until it’s safe to do so – even if that means that sports don’t reappear until sometime in 2021.

• Our social-distancing measures

won’t permanently damage our psyches and level of trust in people – that we will somehow be able to get through all of this without being afraid of human contact. This last prayer refers to something all of us should be really concerned about the longer we’re stuck in this new reality. Until we feel safe because of a universal and effective COVID-19 vaccine, will we ever feel comfortable having lunch with friends, a family dinner at our favorite restaurant or a night out at the movies? Until there’s a vaccine, will even the most zealous football fan want to tailgate at Gillette Stadium, or will even the most avid music fan dare to attend a concert with a couple of hundred – or thousands – of other fans? Until we feel safe, will even the most passionate Red Sox or Pawtucket Red Sox fan want to watch a game at Fenway Park or McCoy Stadium, or feel safe buying hot dogs, beer and pretzels at the concession stands? And who among us will risk shopping at the mall, or even hanging out at neighborhood house parties, until there’s a vaccine against this terrible disease that has already killed so many across the nation and globe? Those are only some of the questions that the country will have to answer before we’re able to move beyond these dark days. Wishing you all good health as we navigate our uncertain future. LARRY KESSLER (larrythek65@gmail. com) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Rhode Island area schools seek part-time Hebrew and/or Judaica teachers, youth advisors and specialists for the 2020 - 2021 academic year.

For more information contact Larry Katz at the Jewish Alliance at 401.421.4111 ext. 179 or lkatz@jewishallianceri.org

MAY 2020 | 11

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COMMUNITY VOICES

A shining light amid the darkness of cancer BY LARRY KESSLER WHETHER YOU REFER to the actions described in this column as tikkun olam, tzedakah or a mitzvah is irrelevant. What does matter is that the people involved in the art exhibit that is the focal point of the column have shown how living your life guided by those concepts can make the world a better place. As kids, we’re often fearful of the dark. As adults, we’re more comfortable driving on streets that have modern LED lighting than on streets with poor or no lighting. We also feel better during the spring and summer, when the sun sets after 7 or 8, than in November, after we’ve “fallen back” and it’s pitch black after 4 p.m. We also dread developments that plunge us into an inner darkness; it’s devastating, for example, to find out that a loved one has cancer. When that happens, we look for ways to light up our lives – and that’s the purpose of the luminaria lit at the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life fundraisers for the past two decades in honor of cancer patients and survivors. That link between art and the real-life drama of battling cancer was what I hoped would result when, on behalf of the Relay For Life of Greater Attleboro committee, I pitched an art exhibit to the Attleboro Arts Museum to tie-in with what would have been the 22nd annual cancer

society fundraiser. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, that event, which was to be held in June at Norton High School, has been canceled for 2020. In its place, the local relay will participate in a virtual event on Sunday, June 7. What evolved, thanks to Museum Executive Director Mim Fawcett’s support for an exhibit with a relay theme, was the “Luminaria” show, held in February. Luminarias consist of lit candles set in sand inside a paper bag. The 19 luminarias created by the artists for the “Luminaria” exhibit provided an infinite amount of light, which clearly resonated with viewers, many of whom studied and photographed the works. Having participated in the Greater Attleboro relay for 20 years, I’ve seen the impact of the luminaria over and over again. And I’ve seen the luminaria break hearts as the years pass and those labeled for survivors join those labeled for victims. But, above all, I’ve seen how comforting it is to see the luminaria shine out through the night. That light provides hope, which is what the artists accomplished with their creations. That’s why, I’m sharing some of the artists’ words; in a world that desperately needs hope, it’s important to spread it around. LARRY KESSLER (larrythek65@ gmail.com) is a freelance writer based in North Attleboro.

“Badge of Honor” “Badge of Honor,” by Kerry St. Pierre, of Attleboro, the museum’s office manager, is made of paper, wire and paper clay. “This piece is inspired by my sister who recently won her fight with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She is one of the strongest people I know: Army veteran, wife, mother and now political activist. “My goal for this piece was to capture her beauty and strength. The star on the figure’s chest, a military symbol and badge of honor, sits on the spot where a port was placed to administer lifesaving medications during cancer treatment. The cape is meant to mimic that of a superhero and represents her courage. My sister fought cancer with grace, beauty and strength – she is a survivor.” For more luminarias go to jewishrhody.org

By Kerry St. Pierre.

“A Beacon of Hope” “The Three Luminaries,” by Abby Rovaldi, of Franklin, Massachusetts, the program coordinator at the museum, features three sketches made with an ebony pencil on Mylar and paper. “A beacon of hope … though my luminaria represents three of my dear family members who each lost their battles with cancer, this sculpture serves as a bright reminder that they are with me and greatly missed. Each portrait stares out – warmly illuminated – and I’m reminded of their vivacious, fun-loving, and inspirational personalities even in the darkest of moments. The portraits were drawn from a photo reference, that was carefully chosen, and depicts each luminary in their most healthy and beautiful stage of life – the way I will always remember them.” Her artwork is “dedicated in loving memory to: Eugene “Gene” Dunton (1940–2017), leukemia; Theodora Bourikas Nelson (1953–2009), pancreatic cancer; Jan Alita Nelson Haddix (1951–1990), breast cancer.”

By Abby Rovaldi.

“A Beacon of Life” “Beacons of Life,” by Steven Wiseman, of Norton, Massachusetts, shows three original luminaries made from wood. He dedicated it to his mother and father. “Inspired by my love of the Southwest, its architecture, and a magazine article – this collection was created. There was no thought of any use other than decoration, until a discussion of the Relay For Life exhibition at the Attleboro Arts Museum surfaced, and the call for luminaria was announced. “I have participated in the Relay For Life, and it has special meaning for me. However, the luminaria were always paper bags and candles. Both of my parents were victims of cancer – and I am a two-time survivor. “My ‘Beacons of Life’ will now have a prominent location in my living room and will serve as a constant reminder of cancer’s past devastation and the cures of the present and future.” By Steven Wiseman

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Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

FOOD & DINING

All-Day Nutrition Dairy-inspired, plant-based dishes to serve from morning to night (Family Features) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; From cereal and milk to yogurt and fruit to broccoli and cheese, combining dairy with plant-based foods creates a superfood power couple that can help ensure you and your family are getting the nutrients you need any time of day. With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, dairy can help optimize nutrient absorption from plant foods and provide additional nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. You can create delicious meals with the nutrition you need while enjoying the best of plants and dairy. Combining dairy and plant-based foods can be easier with these dairypowered recipes from Milk Means More. They are ideal for creating a nutritious and delicious plan for every meal throughout the day.

Start with a Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl in the morning then build out your lunch or dinner plans around an appetizer like this traditional Middle Eastern Labneh Spread with grilled pita bread and assorted veggies. For the main course, try Lentil Tacos with Tangy Guacamole and a classic Moroccan staple, Creamy Couscous with Broccoli, Tomatoes and Cheese, on the side. Find more recipes that combine the goodness of dairy and plant-based foods at milkmeansmore.org.

Creamy Couscous with Broccoli, Tomatoes and Cheese

Lentil Tacos with Tangy Guacamole

Serves 6

Ingredients

Tangy Guacamole:

1/2 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons butter 3 cups broccoli florets 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 cups fat-free, 2% or whole milk 1 1/2 cups plain couscous (wheat pasta) 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped tomatoes 2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil leaves

Directions

In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook onion in butter 2 minutes. Add broccoli, garlic and pepper. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir milk into broccoli mixture. Bring to boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir Parmesan cheese into couscous mixture. Spread on serving platter. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. Recipe courtesy of culinary dietitian Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN

Serves 6

1 medium ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped 1 tablespoon orange, lime or lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup plain, fat-free Greek yogurt

Lentil Tacos

2 1/3 cups water 1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped tomatoes, divided 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided 12 yellow corn taco shells

Directions

To make Tangy Guacamole: In small bowl, mash avocado, juice, hot pepper sauce and garlic. Stir in yogurt. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. To make Lentil Tacos: Heat oven to 400 degrees. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine water, lentils, onion, chili powder, garlic and salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Cover and gently boil 12-15 minutes, or until lentils are just

tender. Uncover and boil 5-15 minutes, or until most liquid evaporates. Remove lentils from heat. Stir in 1 cup tomatoes and 3/4 cup cheese. Spoon into taco shells. Stand filled tacos in 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle tacos with remaining tomatoes and cheese. Loosely cover dish with foil. Bake 3-5 minutes, or until cheese melts. Stir guacamole. Serve with warm tacos.

remove from cheesecloth and top spread with olive oil, sea salt and fresh herbs. Serve with grilled pita bread and assorted seasonal vegetables.

Recipe courtesy of culinary dietitian Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN

1 cup frozen blueberries 2 cups apples, roughly chopped, reserving 2 tablespoons for topping 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt 1 cup spinach Pure maple syrup, to taste Ice cubes (optional)

Labneh Spread Serves 6

Ingredients

12 ounces whole-milk Greek yogurt 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pinch sea salt, for garnish Fresh herbs, for garnish Pita bread, grilled Assorted seasonal vegetables

Directions

In bowl, mix Greek yogurt, salt and lemon juice. Transfer mixture to fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Wrap mixture in cheesecloth and strain over bowl in refrigerator 24-48 hours. Strain longer to make thicker. Once thickened as desired,

Recipe courtesy of Jenn Fillenworth, MS, RDN of Jenny with the Good Eats

Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl Serves 1

Ingredients

Toppings:

2 tablespoons oats 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon pecans, chopped 2 tablespoons reserved chopped apple Fresh blueberries

Directions

In blender, blend blueberries, apples, cinnamon, yogurt and spinach until smooth. Taste and add maple syrup, to taste. If thicker mixture is desired, add ice cubes. Pour into bowl. Mix oats with maple syrup. Top smoothie mixture with oats, pecans, apples and blueberries. Recipe courtesy of Rachel Gurk of Rachel Cooks

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island MAY 2020

| 13

PETS

Finding a furry friend during the pandemic BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE SINCE THE BEGINNING of the COVID-19 outbreak, animal shelters around the world have seen significant increases in people fostering and adopting pets. Those who had previously considered fostering an animal have suddenly found themselves with the time and availability to do so, while others have found that adopting a pet has helped to ease isolation and loneliness. Locally, both the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL) and Providence Animal Control have reported an increase in adoptions, as well as in inquiries about adoptions. Cat adoptions are a priority for both organizations, as Rebecca Baylies, executive director at PARL, explained: “Kitten season is nearly upon us, meaning hundreds of kittens in Providence and beyond needing support and care.”

… others have found that adopting a pet has helped to ease isolation and loneliness. In terms of fostering, Baylies reported that 65% of the animals in PARL’s care are in foster homes, and that the PARL team “is doing a great job of rotating animals … into the shelter for adoption appointments.” Baylies continued, “Our foster needs will continue in the coming weeks, and animal fostering

is an important part of animal sheltering all year round, even in the absence of a pandemic.” Erika Cole, director of Providence Animal Control, said the shelter is not currently looking for foster homes for their animals because “permanent adoptions are the goal.” But, she noted, “fostering for a rescue [organization] allows the rescue to pull more animals from us, [and] is a way to help indirectly.” Cole added, “The best thing adopters can do is make sure that they are seeking a dog or cat that fits their old lifestyle and not this new, temporary normal, so that the [animal] and adopter are still a good match for when life as we knew it returns. This will decrease returns to shelters, which will likely be overwhelmed with animals when spay, neuter and adoptions begin again.” Baylies echoed this sentiment, saying, “Once normal activity and public interactions return to a more normal level, we anticipate an immense surge in animals needing intake and care. Our spay/ neuter, microchipping and vaccine services have been halted due to COVID-19 precautions, and we’ll be working hard to catch up, helping pets in our community and those who love them.” She also said that “this stay-at-home mandate may be a great time to bring on a new furry family member,” since it gives people “enough time to acclimate the animal to family routines and get in

some high-quality bonding time.” Both Baylies and Cole requested patience from new adopters, as shelters are still responding to evolving circumstances. Cole also advised that new adopters should “have enough food for whatever animal [they] are adopting, two to three months’ worth if possible, without hoarding.” For those struggling to feed their pets, PARL’s Pet

Food Pantry offers pet food and treats, as well as kitty litter. Donations of food and supplies are welcome. PARL is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays by appointment only, with a 50% discount on adoption fees for animals older than six months. If you are interested in fostering an animal, email clinic@parl.org for more information. Pet owners who are interested in the Pet Food Pantry should call

(401) 421-1399. Providence Animal Control is currently closed to the public, but can be reached at (401) 243-6040; information on adopting their animals can be found at www.providenceri.gov/animal-control/ adoptions. MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

24/7 Care for Your Pet

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14 | MAY 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

Pets in the community: A g Gotta love ’em Our furry companions are here when we need them, and we do love them. We are happy to brag about them. When we put out the last-minute call for our annual pet issue, you delivered with favorite photos. So take a few minutes out of your busy day and enjoy some photos of our community’s pets. And start thinking about which photo you can submit to next year’s gallery of pets!

Jill | Claire Uziel and Josh Berner Frankie and Livvi | Karen Flippo

Nola | Judith Gilson

River | Jane Linden

Betty and Porter | A

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island MAY 2020

glimpse of our furry friends

Arthur Norman

Pipa | Th e S chr e

ibers

Bodhisattva | Denise Rubin

|â&#x20AC;&#x201A;15

16 |â&#x20AC;&#x201A;MAY 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

PETS

Teddy | Rachel Hurlich

Hunter and Rajah | James, Ashley and Ella Ostendorf

Puma and Ivy | Adam Cable and Elisheva Stark

Lilly | Beverly Paris

Elsie | Karen Borger

Lenny and Abbey | Fred Felder

Tucke r

Teddy | Barry Jagolinzer

Charlotte | Judith Gilson

| Pe t e

r Z e ld

MAY 2020 | 17

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

PETS

How to safely enjoy your pet during self-isolation BY FRAN OSTENDORF JEWISH RHODE ISLAND asked Dr. Jane Linden, a veterinarian and the owner of the Providence River Animal Hospital, about the effects of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders on pets. Here is some of our conversation: In general, Linden said, “Most pets are happier now that we are home. They are enjoying the company. How great is it that you have an animal in the house? It’s also a good time to introduce an animal into the household because you are home. But make sure to spend time apart, too.” Vets worry, she said, about what will happen when we begin to leave the house and leave our pets alone

again. To avoid an anxious and/or lonely pet when that time comes, Linden recommended that you establish a routine: “Keep your pet in another room occasionally so they get some separation and aren’t shocked” by your absence. On exercising with your pet: “Be careful,” she said. “Suddenly owners are home and want to go running with the dog, who has been a couch potato. You can see injuries. You have to work up to it.” On affordability concerns: “People who have lost their job and cannot care for their pets, or afford to get care for their pets, need to remember there are assistance programs to help

with that.” [One such program is the Pet Food Pantry, 401-421-1399.] On COVID-19: “It appears to be incredibly rare in cats and ferrets, but we are still learning. Animals can’t give it to humans, but humans may be able to give it to animals. “We have really big fears that people are going to start abandoning their pets. It doesn’t seem that the disease is as severe in pets. “Use common sense if you think or know you have COVID-19. Don’t cuddle with your pet until you are better. Try to isolate the pet. But that doesn’t mean you should get rid of your pet.” On vet care with social distancing: “I don’t want pets to go without regu-

lar vaccines as that will lead to other problems later,” Linden said. Like many veterinary offices, Providence River Animal Hospital is continuing to see animals, but a staff member will come to the car to pick up the pet. Linden said she didn’t expect how hard it is for people to hand over their pet to a vet tech. To help with that, PRAH is now using Airvet, a smartphone app that lets pet owners observe exams and talk directly to the vet. FRAN OSTENDORF ( fostendorf@ jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

The best co-worker ever: Working with your pet BY TRIPSWITHPETS.COM HAVING YOUR FURKID as a co-worker can be an added bonus when you’re working from home. Working with your pet can be very therapeutic – helping you to better cope with the daily stressors. However, your pet + work doesn’t always equal harmony. Here are some tips on staying focused and productive while working alongside your new furry co-worker.

Plan for distractions

Since you’re working from home, your pet will likely think you’re all his! From engaging in play to pawing, and whining... your pet will do his best to get your attention. Rest assured that even if your home office space is not a spot where your dog normally likes to hang out, he will be in there now that you’re in there! One way to temper his attempts to distract you is to tire him out before you start your workday. A long walk or run, an interactive game, or fetch in the backyard usually does the trick! Before you clock-in, be sure to have some entertaining (non-squeaky) toys in your workspace to keep him occupied. Kongs and lick pads work great. Another tip is to let him go outside to take a bathroom break whenever you get up to take yours, or vice versa. Also, If you can work with your pet on your lap, great! Otherwise, be sure to place your pet’s bed in the room so he can nap.

Stay on track with a daily routine

Pets need a regular rou-

tine to keep them evenkeeled. Like many humans, they can get anxious if they’re not on their usual schedules. It’s very important to stick with a consistent routine, for your pet to be happy and for you to have the highest level of productivity. Make sure you both wake up at the same time each morning, and start the day with the usual morning rituals. When it’s time for you to report in for work, be sure to be at your desk and your pet situated – ready for the day ahead!

Maintain your willpower

Don’t look now but here come those puppy dog eyes! You know what I’m referring to – that look that says, “Pleeeeease pet me now!” If you’re not careful, you’ll be down on the floor in two seconds flat, snuggling up with your furkid. Although tempting, do your best to not succumb to giving those belly rubs! Save the extra love and affection, and perhaps a quick stroll or some playtime, for a designated time like your lunch break.

No time for chit chat

When you’re on the phone, or participating in a video conference, the last thing you want is your “chatty” pet chiming in. If you have a pet that likes to “chit chat,” you can introduce him to your other co-workers and clients at the start of the meeting, to keep it light and let them know he may try to participate, too. If that option is not the best, given your particular circumstances, you can always move your pet to another room during your phone calls or meetings.

Other ways to cut down on your pet’s loud chatter include putting a halt to door knocking and the doorbell ringing. If you’re expecting packages, you can place a sign on the front door stating: “Please don’t knock or ring the doorbell – leave

packages at the door.” Again, bring out the entertaining toys to keep your pet distracted, especially when you need quiet surroundings. Be sure to enjoy your time working from home with your furkid, aka the best co-worker ever!

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jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island MAY 2020

| 19

ARTS

Jewish shows, films worthy of binge-watching – or not BY MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE I’M NOT A FAN OF SELF-ISOLATING, but I’m living it as best I can. Still, as an extrovert, I miss my friends, my coworkers and the constant human activity of “normal” life. Video meetings have been a decent-enough solution, allowing my family to enjoy a truly meaningful sederby-Zoom, for example. The technology is amazing, and I’ve had five recent video meetings, two for work, three personal. On the work side, the highlight was a virtual meeting with the entire staff of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. I’ve always felt such naches at being part of this team, and seeing my coworkers and hearing about their ongoing work during the pandemic felt reassuring – and gave me hope for the “after.” On the personal side, the highlight was a virtual drinks get-together with some of my oldest, dearest friends. It was comforting, warming and a heck of a lot of fun. I’m so grateful to have such wonderful people on both sides of my life. We may all be apart from each other, but that’s no excuse to be unconnected! But, it’s my introvert tendencies that were the inspiration for this piece. Connection is wonderful, of course, but there are moments when I just want to sit on the couch and tune out just about everything; moments when I’m perfectly happy to look in on others’ lives without any personal involvement on my part. To do this, like many of you, I have turned to TV. And, as it turns out, there’s a ton of Jewish-themed content on Netflix and Amazon Prime; there are nearly 1,500 matches for “Jewish” on Prime alone! So, with all that content, what’s worth watching and what isn’t? Here’s what I found over the course of several streaming binges: Unorthodox (Netflix): This series, based on Deborah Feldman’s memoir of the same name, follows Esther “Esty” Shapiro as she flees her ultra-Orthodox enclave in Williamsburg, in Brooklyn, New York, and lands in Berlin with little money and even less of a plan. As Esty takes her first steps in the outside world, she is pursued

by her husband and his sleazy cousin. Presented in four, hour-long episodes, “Unorthodox” is artfully shot, with beautiful, tense scenes that had me holding my breath. Shira Haas gives a riveting performance as Esty, who is both bold and frightened, tough and vulnerable. Spoiler alert: Her performance in the final episode’s concert-hall scene brought me to tears – I’m still thinking about the closing shot. Highly recommended. In English and Yiddish, with subtitles. Maktub (Netflix): This Israeli movie tells the tale of low-level gangsters Steve and Chuma after they survive a café bombing with a briefcase full of money belonging to their boss. Following the bombing, the men happen to read a prayer note that was left in the Western Wall and decide to make the prayer come true. Riding a high from doing a good deed (done in a not-so-good way!), they decide to make even more prayers come true. But, of course, no good deed goes unpunished – and to make things worse, the boss is on their tail. Steve and Chuma’s story is a unique blend of dark comedy and touching, interpersonal subplots, with a – spoiler alert – surprise resolution and a very sweet ending. Don’t miss this one. In Hebrew, with subtitles. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime): Why did I wait so long to watch this award-winning show? Rachel Brosnahan’s smartly funny, energetic portrayal of Miriam “Midge” Maisel immediately captured my attention, and the excellent supporting cast and late 1950s-early 1960s’ sets and costuming are superb. Spoiler alert: Abandoned by her husband, Midge drunkenly performs a hilarious onstage rant at a Greenwich Village club, and is arrested on obscenity and indecent-exposure charges. But the rant leads to a friendship with Lenny Bruce (played by Luke Kirby) and a partnership with the tough, spunky Susie (Alex Borstein), who sees something special in Midge and wants to manage her nascent career. The show is funny, sharp and engaging. Try it; you’ll like it. Hunters (Amazon Prime): Ugh. I gave up after one episode of this series, which

tells the story of a group of underground Nazi hunters in 1977 New York. The story opens with a cartoon villain committing acts of unnecessary violence in service of a laughable “build the Fourth Reich” subplot. Dayenu – that should have been enough, right? But then we’re given a bland everyman, Al Pacino attempting a Yiddish accent, a sexy MI6 nun with a blowtorch, and Carole Kane as an unintelligible “Chabad-

ass.” It’s too much! That’s to say nothing of the unnecessary nudity, profanity and violence-for-its-own-sake. The episode descriptions, which are written in a tacky faux-scripture style, are offensive to me as both a writer and a Jew. Hard pass. Doing Jewish: A Story from Ghana (Amazon Prime): Gabrielle Zilkha’s charming documentary tells the fas-

cinating story of the Jewish community in the Ghanaian town of Sefwi Wiawso and how the residents, isolated for more than a century, made contact with the outside Jewish world and relearned much of what they had forgotten about Judaism. As we learn about the town’s Jewish history, we meet Alex, a young Ghanaian man who already leads the local congregation, conducts prayer services in Hebrew and teaches Hebrew to the local children – but aspires to be “a real rabbi.” The film is a warm depiction of a growing and changing Jewish community, and a reminder of Jewish oneness. Worth a look. What Jewish content have you been watching lately? Share your recommendations with me at mschemaille@ jewishallianceri.org and we may publish them in a future issue! MICHAEL SCHEMAILLE (mschemaille@jewishallianceri.org) writes for Jewish Rhode Island and the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

20 | MAY 2020

COMMUNITY

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

OBITUARIES 24 | BUSINESS 22

Retiring Barrington rabbi looks back and ahead BY FRAN OSTENDORF

hen Rabbi Andrew Klein announced his retirement from Temple Habonim 18 months ago, June 2020 seemed a long way away. Now, with his retirement

looming, he’s looking forward to the next chapter in his life after 13 years of leading the Barrington congregation.

Newly ordained Rabbi Andrew Klein in 2001 in the library at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire.

The last few months on the job have been quite different than Klein had imagined. “This is not the way I’d planned on leaving,” he says, referring to the coronavirus pandemic shuttering the building on New Meadow Road and putting programming, worship services and everything else associated with the vibrant congregation online. In fact, we recently talked via Zoom – not what we planned when we first discussed an interview back in February. Klein came to Temple Habonim in 2007, following in the footsteps of Rabbi James Rosenberg, who had served the congregation for 33 years. Klein calls Rosenberg an “exemplary rabbi emeritus: He and [rebbetzin] Sandy were gone for a whole year, which allowed me to establish myself with the congregation.” Following this standard practice for congregations that are part of the Reform movement’s Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), Klein and his husband, Adam Mastoon, will also step away from Temple Habonim for the year following his retirement to give the new rabbi, Howard Voss-Altman, time to establish himself. But Klein isn’t leaving Rhode Island. “Adam and I like it here in Rhode Island. Our plan is to stay here. We feel our spiritual home is at Temple Habonim,” he said. “I have very mixed emotions,” about retirement, Klein said. “I feel sad at not having a role in the community, but I feel like it’s the right time to pull back. “I’m almost 70. I didn’t want to stay until I was worn out. I’ve been functioning in an active way. This is a very, very full-time job.” He added, “Just as the temple was ready for a new phase when I came, after 13 years, I think Temple Habonim is ready for a new phase now.” Klein said that one of the attractions of Temple Habonim was its stability and sense of community. He hopes he’s been able to enhance that community. “We have been able to create a worship experience that almost always leaves me feeling calmer, more grounded, more centered in life. I’m grateful for just being able to lead services in this community. I’m one of those people who is fortunate enough

to be able to go to work and have that happen. I want to provide that for other people.” When he first started as rabbi at Temple Habonim, Klein held a series of home meetings to get to know the congregants. Now, he has scheduled individual meetings to say goodbye – but they have moved from the planned in-person get-togethers to Zoom meetings. Still, he said he’s coming away with the feeling that the congregants are making a one-on-one connection. “People appreciate being accepted in all ways and at all levels of diversity and Jewishness,” Klein said. Rabbi Klein came to Temple Habonim after six years at the Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. That congregation was the first for the rabbi, who was ordained at age 49. In 1996, at the age of 44, he began rabbinical school at the New York City campus of Hebrew Union College“People Jewish Institute of appreciate Religion, the Reform being accepted movement’s seminary. in all ways and It was the fulfillment at all levels of of a lifelong dream. diversity and “I knew I wanted to Jewishness” be a rabbi in the ’60s, in high school,” he said. But HUC-JIR didn’t accept gay and lesbian students until the ’90s. Klein had been active in the youth group of his home temple in San Antonio, Texas. The Sisterhood there sent him to a leadership institute at the URJ Kutz Camp in New York (which closed last year). “I was a camper there in June 1967 [right after the Six-Day War]. There was such pride and fervor for Judaism and Israel. That was transformative.” Before entering rabbinical school, Klein taught elementary school in Houston and also ran a business. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

MAY 2020 | 21

jewishrhody.org | Jewish Rhode Island

Polish artist, activist and musician preserves the memory of Jewish life in Chelm BY SHAI AFSAI and ARIELA ALUSH AMONG THE 11 POLES RECOGNIZED AT THE 2019 “Preserving Memory” awards ceremony for their role in protecting their country’s Jewish heritage were three men from Chelm: Zbigniew S. Lubaszewski, Czeslaw Usznynski and Mariusz Matera. Matera, a blues and rock singer, artist, activist and socio-cultural organizer, was recognized for his efforts in preserving and promoting Jewish culture and heritage in Chelm, a city in eastern Poland, including helping to erect new memorial headstones at the Jewish cemetery and a memorial to the liquidation of the Chelm ghetto. Prior to the German occupation in 1939, there were about 15,000 Jews in Chelm, over 44% of its population. Following the awards ceremony, held in the Galicia Jewish Museum during Krakow’s 29th Jewish Culture Festival, in June 2019, we filmed an interview with Matera, which is excerpted below. Matera spoke in English

When did you first become interested in Chelm’s Jewish history?

I was a very curious boy. I was always asking my grandmother about Chelm – how it was before the war [World War II]. The city at this time, in the early ’70s, it was a very quiet, sort of sleepy town. Only on market days was it quite loud, but usually it was a very silent city. I felt there was only half of the city. I can describe it as just like a man only on one leg, without the other. She described Chelm from before the war times – that it was loud, full of flavors, different languages. It was a really multicultural, international city. I couldn’t see that at all. I tried to imagine how it looked, how it was.

Were you familiar with the Jewish depiction of Chelm in jokes and humorous stories?

There is a quite thick Polish book with Jewish jokes called “By the Candles of Shabbat” [“Przy Szabasowych Siecach: Humor Zydowski,” by Horacy Safrin]. I got it the first time when I was maybe a 10-year-old boy. My father bought me this book in Warsaw. I read it so many times, from the beginning until the end. And there was a whole part only about Jews from Chełm. So I discovered there – hey! This is about my city! My city is very famous! There are so many jokes about my city! And I tried to understand why. And, of course, I know: I think that everybody else is jealous of us! Really, it is from jealousy. First, because we are famous, Chelmers, you know. And second, we have a very special point of view for life. It is something really amazing philosophically, sort of a different dimension. And I love it. We are special. The Chelm jokes, Jewish jokes, Jewish humor are a very important part of my studying Jewish cul-

visit us

jewishrhody.org

Mariusz Matera (left) and Czeslaw Uszyński (right) at Kraków’s Tempel Synagogue. ture. Because, you know, these are not only jokes. They describe living, the Jewish style of life. When you are reading jokes about yeshivot, about rabbis, you are learning the life, you are touching real life, how it was 100 years ago, how it was before the war, and it is very important.

Why did your father buy you that book?

He knew that I am interested in the Jewish history of my city from childhood. I was curious, so curious. I think that this is the reason that he bought me this book, because he knew that I loved this culture and I loved the history of my city, beautiful city. I loved Chelm always. I always said this is the most beautiful city in the whole world. This is my homeland and I never, never want to leave it or just say any bad words about this city, because it is really beautiful and something very special. You have to love this place. [Later] I was also discovering old biblical Jewish culture. I was studying the Bible. I loved to read the Bible, especially Psalms and the old stories from the Old Testament. I was reading at church and at home. I had a very strong need to study the culture of ancient Israel times.

Did you know any Jews from Chelm?

In 2005, for the first time I met a Jew from Chelm from the times before the war. He was an old man, and he passed away a few years ago: Chaim Lender. He was the former leader of the Chelmer Organization of Israel. When I met him, and we were

PHOTO | SHAI AFSAI

walking all over Chelm, he showed me the Jewish Chelm, because I knew it only as my mom and grandmother remembered it, the Polish Chelm. He was a representative of the second leg, as I told you before. He was full of stories, beautiful stories. I started to complete this vision of my city, my beautiful city. He was in fact the first Jewish man from Chelm [I met] who remembered exactly how it was before the war from the Jewish point of view, so it was for me something totally different. The Polish point of view I knew very well because of the stories of my grandmother. It was something really, really special, and it was this which I needed.

How did Szalom Chelm, your klezmer band of Poles singing in Hebrew and Polish and playing Jewish music, come into being?

I wanted to do something special for him [Lender]. I thought it would be very nice to sing one song in Hebrew for him. However, I did not know Hebrew. It was a hard song [I chose] to sing, because it was “Yerushalayim shel Zahav” [“Jerusalem of Gold”]. It is very hard. I started to learn it, and I did it. He was very touched with this. From the moment I started to sing this song with Chaim Lender, I decided to make a CD, to make some more songs in Hebrew just to honor all the Jewish Chelmers that passed away during the war and those that are still living all over the world. CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

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| 23

BUSINESS

D O LL

SUDDENLY A BIG “WHAT IF?” has become a big “What now?” Not only has the longest economic expansion in recent American history come to an abrupt end as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but economies around the world have slowed significantly as people stay home and businesses close to weather a global health crisis the likes of which hasn’t been seen in a century. The vast scope, suddenness and seriousness of the coronavirus crisis leave us to navigate uncharted territory in virtually every aspect of our lives. And some of the most pressing questions people have relate to their financial lives: What does all this mean for me financially? What should – and shouldn’t – I be JASON E. doing now to protect and posiSIPERSTEIN tion my assets going forward? One silver lining to the disruption created by quarantines, sheltering in place and social distancing is that it creates plenty of time to think through the steps you need to take to put your household finances and assets in the best possible position in light of the economic realities we’re already facing – and are likely to face in the near future – rather than acting quickly and rashly. First and foremost, resist the urge to let emotions dictate how you manage your money and assets in the face of this economic downturn.

& S E NS S R

How to protect your finances when the world is on the brink of recession

maneuver, known as dollar-cost-averaging, essentially enables you to take advantage of a buying opportunity when prices are lower.

IF YOU WERE LAID OFF FROM YOUR JOB, know what you are owed for your final paycheck, vacation time, severance pay and, possibly, commissions. If you’re not clear about any one of these, check out the employee handbook, if one exists, or speak with someone in human resources. Also find out when and how you will get important tax documents: W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, etc. Be sure you have any documents related to the company’s retirement and investment plans in which you may have been involved, including stock options, 401(k)s, profit-sharing, pensions, etc. It’s also critical to know your rights related to benefits, including health insurance, COBRA and/or Medicare, as well as unemployment insurance and other potentially portable benefits such as life and disability insurance.

REVISIT YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN with your financial adviser – or hire a financial planner to create a plan for you. A financial plan should include contingency strategies for when what-ifs like a weakening stock market and economy become reality. Besides providing a script for how your assets will be handled during an economic downturn, a financial plan provides a compass during challenging economic times. Even amid all the virus-related restrictions, many financial professionals are on call and available for virtual or phone conversations to help both existing and new clients. JASON E. SIPERSTEIN, CFA, CFP, is the president of the Financial Planning Association of Rhode Island and of Eliot Rose Wealth Management. He can be reached by email at jes@eliotrose. com.

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24 | MAY 2020

Jewish Rhode Island | jewishrhody.org

COMMUNITY | OBITUARIES Myrna Altman, 93 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Myrna Altman died April 11 at Oak Hill Center. She was the wife of the late Leonard Altman. A lifelong resident of Providence, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Julia (Horvitz) Marcus.

Myrna was a graduate of Hope High School and attended Bryant College. During the early 1950s, Myrna worked for the city of Providence Health Department as a sanitarian, testing public eating establishments for unsanitary conditions. She was later a secretary at Family Service, retiring in 1972. Myrna was a former member of Eastern Star, Overseas Lodge, Temple Emanu-El and the United

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Brothers Synagogue. She was the mother of Stuart Altman of Providence and Franklin Scott Altman and his wife, Sharon, of Norton, Massachusetts. She was the sister of Dr. Shirley Kessler of Block Island, and the late Arline M. Suzman. Contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

Paul Botvin, 82 WARWICK, R.I. – Paul Irwin Botvin died April 28 at Kent Hospital. He was the son of the late Max and Sophie Botvin. Paul was survived by his wife of 60 years. Elaine (Litowitz) Botvin, two children, daughter Lynn (Botvin) Feldman and husband Feldman and son Scott Botvin and wife Cynthia Botvin, sister Hope (Botvin) Rubin, sister-in-law Barbara Litowitz, grandchildren Alexandra (Feldman) Santiago, Justin Batista, and Jeremy Batista, two nieces Cindy Kuhr and Gayle Kaplan, and nephew Gary Rubin. Paul graduated from Hope High School in 1955. He went in the Navy shortly after graduating, where he was a corpsman. He worked in the OR as a surgical technician where he operated heart and lung machines. After the Navy, he sold surgical instruments for Miltex for 25 years before retiring. He was a longtime member of Temple Am David and Touro Fraternal

Association. His first love was his family. He was a hard worker who made sure his family was always provided for. He enjoyed golfing, being out on the water in his boats or jet ski on Johnson’s Pond, country and western music and dancing, spending winters in Florida, and playing cards with his friends. Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.

Marion Chorney, 88 CRANSTON, R.I. – Marion R. Chorney died April 3 at home. She was the wife of the late Melvin Chorney. Born in Bronx, New York, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Anna (Caminear) Rabin, she was a longtime resident of Cranston. She was the mother of Lois Johnson of Cranston; Aaron Gray of Vienna, Virginia; Linda Klaen of Germany; the late Steven Gray and Robert Gray; Bruce Chorney of Cranston; and Louis Chorney and his partner, Diane Paquette, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. She was the sister of Rena Rabin of Blacksburg, Virginia. She was the loving grandmother of Sarah, Stephan, Judith, Hannah, Melissa, Allisyn, Adam, Naomi, Kaia, Joe, Steven, Daniel, Matthew and the late Marissa and David. She was the greatgrandmother of 12. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Barbara Friedman, 74 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On April 4, after a long battle with lymphoma, Barbara (Harris) Friedman passed away at the age of 74. Born Jan. 17, 1946, to the late Helen and Aaron Harris, Barbara spent her childhood in Brooklyn, New York, and many special summers at her family’s bungalow colony in Mountaindale, New York. She was a graduate of Hunter College, and she later went on to receive a Master’s of Social Work from Rhode Island College. She worked as a clinical social worker for many years. Barbara was the dedicated wife of the late Paul Friedman. They loved to listen to folk music, try new restaurants and spend time with family and friends. They especially loved to vacation in Barbados. Barbara was the mother to Jennifer (Geoffrey) Schnirman of Providence, and Amanda (Cezar) Wislocki-Wasecki of Natick, Massachusetts, and the grandmother of four grandchildren, Ruby, Leah, Noah and Lulu, who were the light of her life. Barbara was the sister of Richard Harris and the aunt to Ana, Shaun, Kate and Shanna. A longtime resident of Providence, Barbara loved spending time with her family and weekends away with her daughters and summer family vacations in Truro. She felt strongly about being politically active. She loved to garden, read the New York Times and spend time with family and friends. Barbara was a wonderful cook who loved to feed and entertain her friends. She had a close circle of longtime friends and, in recent years, was fortunate to add to that circle her “Seven Stars Cadre.” Barbara will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Isaak Goman, 98 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Isaak Goman died on April 3 at Summit Commons Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Providence. He was the beloved husband of the late Bunya Goman for 69 years. A decorated World War II veteran, he worked in the food service industry most

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OBITUARIES of his life. He was born in Belarus, where he lived until emigrating to the U.S. in 1990 and settling on Doyle Avenue in Providence. He was the devoted father of three sons: Yakov and his wife, Svetlana; Boris and his wife Anna; Sam and his wife, Alla. He was the loving grandfather of six granddaughters: Elina, Natasha, Irina H., Rita, Irina W. and Tanya, and the adored great-grandfather of Matthew, Andrew, Sasha M., Sasha K, Nicholas, Joshua, Liya, Rachel, Brielle, Donnie and Maya. Contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

Sylvia Hodosh, 93 DENVILLE, N.J. – Sylvia Hodosh died April 24 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Hodosh. Born in Providence, a daughter of the late William and Anna (Morgenstern) Zelnicker, she had lived in Whippany, New Jersey, for six years, previously living in Lake Worth, Florida, and West Warwick. She was the devoted mother of Helene Hodosh-Zaytounian and her husband, Avo, of Denville. She was cherished by her three grand-cats, Sammie, Sadie and Bengal. Contributions may be made to Chabad Jewish Center of Mountain Lakes/Denville, 6 Gregory Drive, Boonton, NJ 07005 (www.chabadml.com).

Melvin Kahn, 96 WARWICK, R.I. – Melvin Kahn, a resident of Warwick for the past six years and formerly of Cranston, died April 20 from natural causes. Mel was married to Mae, who predeceased him, for more than 70 years. He was the son of William and Esther (Harris) Kahnovsky. All of his siblings predeceased him, including Sydney Kahn, Evelyn Labush CHELM FROM PAGE 21 So I did it. This is how the Szalom Chelm band started in 2013. I recorded a disk called “Szalom Chelm.” It was with traditional Jewish songs, like “Shalom Aleichem” [“Peace be upon You”], “Lecha Dodi” [“Come my Beloved”] and the others, and also we put on the CD Chaim Lender singing “Mayn Shtetele Belz” [“My Little

and David Kahnovsky. He is survived by his sons Ronald Kahn and his wife, Pamela, and Larry Kahn and his wife, Ellen. He was the grandfather of Amy Kahn, Joel Kahn and his wife. Carolyn, Seth Kahn and his wife, Dana, Aaron Kahn and his wife, Rachel. He was great-grandfather to Lily and Charlie Kahn. Mae and Mel shared the joys of family, travel, summers by the “pool” and activities in numerous fraternal organizations. Melvin was a decorated World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving for four years in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, including the Normandy invasion. He served on convoy duty during the war as a member of the elite U.S. Navy Armed Guard as a gunnery captain and at Normandy as a landing coxswain. He was active in veterans groups across the state, including having served as commander of the Warwick Veterans Council, commander of the Jewish War Veterans, and on numerous state committees to support veterans recognition and activities. He was active for more than 60 years in the United Commercial Travelers organization and served as past senior councilor. Mel and Mae owned two businesses: Ace Roofing and Sheet Metal Works and Mel’s Hardware in Providence. Later, he worked at Quonset Point until retirement. Donations may be made to your favorite veterans group or to the American Heart Association.

Frederick Kerzner, 73 NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. – Frederick M. Kerzner died March 28 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Susan (Goldstein) Kerzner for more than 50 years. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, a son of the late Samuel and Lillian (Marx) Kerzner, he had lived in North Kingstown for 27 years, previously living in Warwick. He was a salesperson at Crazy Mountain.

Town of Belz”] through the telephone [from Israel]. I recorded and I put it [on the CD], so it was something very special. It was just the beginning of the Szalom Chelm band.

Are any Jews still living in Chelm today?

You know, there are no Jews at all in Chelm, but when you open your heart,

Frederick was a Vietnam Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was an avid sailor on his boat “Swoose” and was a member of the West Bay Yacht Club. Frederick was also a member of American Legion Post 43. He was the brother of Philip Kerzner and his wife, Marilu, and Andrea Torqovnick and her husband, Dr. Josh Torqovnick. He was the uncle of Max. Contributions may be made to charity of your choice.

Irwin Levin, 88 CRANSTON, R.I. – Irwin S. Levin died April 26 at Westview Nursing Home. He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley (Krieger) Levin. Born in Providence, a son of the late Max and Dora (Gittleman) Levin, he had lived in Florida for 18 years, previously living in Warwick, Providence and Pawtucket. He was the owner of the former Macs TV, retiring in 1999. Irwin earned a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University. He was a member of Touro Fraternal Association. He was the father of Judy Frank of Boynton Beach, Florida, Lori Salk and her husband, David, of Cranston and David Levin and his wife, Jan, of Wesley Chapel, Florida. He was the brother of the late Barbara Kortick and Bernie Levin. He was the grandfather of Evan, Hillary, Brandon, Tyler and Stephanie. He was the great-grandfather of Max. Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 1 State St., #200, Providence, RI 02908 or National Kidney Foundation, 209 West Central St., #220, Natick, MA 01760.

Joan Adler Mark, 89 WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Joan Adler Mark, of White

open your soul, you still feel the same atmosphere. It is really still in the air. And I think that this made the missing in my heart from my childhood. I felt it, that there is still somebody here that we can touch and can see, but they miss us – and we miss them too. This article is adapted from a longer piece in the April

Plains, New York, died April 20. Born in Providence, she was the daughter of Walter Adler and Celia (Ernstof) Adler. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley Mark and former husband Allan Gevertz. She is survived by her son John Gevertz (Susan), the late Bruce (Jackie), her five grandchildren and Stanley’s three children, Nancy Mark Honig (Larry) Carol Mark (John) and Harvey Mark and their children. She was the sister of Nancy Adler Morrill of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Susan Adler Kaplan of Providence. She graduated from Hope High School and Wellesley College where she served as president of her class until her death. Joan earned a master’s degree from Bank Street School of Education; she had an exemplary career in education beginning as a career counselor at Scarsdale and Blind Brook schools. She was a past president of the Scarsdale Board of Education. She retired after 24 years at Pace University where she served as executive director of Cooperative Education and Career Services. Her community and volunteer activities were numerous, including Citizens’ Committee for Children, New Alternatives for Children and Westchester Reform Temple. Joan enjoyed traveling, following her grandchildren’s pursuits and her wide circle of friends. Contributions to the Joan A. Mark Literacy Fund at New Alternatives for Children in New York or a charity of your choice.

Myron Muffs, 98 CUMBERLAND, R.I. – Myron A. Muffs died April 13 at home. He was the husband of Ruth (Di Bartolo) Muffs for 53 years. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, a son of the late Charles and Lucy (Bronstein) Muffs, he had lived in Cumberland for 20 years, previously living on the East Side of Providence. He was a musician for Muffs

issue of New English Review. SHAI AFSAI (shaiafsai.com) lives in Rhode Island. Supported by a grant awarded to Providence’s Congregation Beth Sholom, and in collaboration with Providence photographer and picture-maker Alan Metnick, he writes about contemporary Polish-Jewish relations.

Music, entertaining at local events, and he taught piano and organ classes. Myron was a member of Local 198 Musician Union and the Masons Redwood Lodge as well as other organizations. He was a graduate of Hope High School and Emerson College. He was the brother of the late Raymond Muffs, Dr. Saul Muffs and Florence Dezorett. Contributions may be made to HopeHealth Hospice, 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904.

Kenneth Silverbush, 87 NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Kenneth Silverbush, a resident of North Providence but a New Yorker at heart, died April 25. Ken was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 14, 1934, to the late David and Gladys Silverbush. He was an ever-eccentric, loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He cared deeply for his family, though there was no one closer to him than his wife, Carol. Together for 65 years and married for 63 years. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his daughter Stacey, sons-inlaw Gene and Lou, and grandchildren Stephanie, Andrew, Lauren and Alexa, as well as great-grandson Jonathan. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jody, and his brother, Herb. Ken, spent his early career in and out of show business and ad agencies as an award-winning copywriter through the 1960s-80s. In the late 1980s, they moved from New York to Rhode Island, where he began a long career writing fundraising appeals, raising millions of dollars for hunger, healthcare, and human rights organizations nationally. In his spare time he was an avid model airplane builder and NY Yankees fan. Ken will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Donations to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, or the charity of your choice, would be appreciated by his family.

ARIELA ALUSH (lionessfilms. com) is a director, screenwriter and editor based in Israel and is currently filming a movie about emerging Judaism in Poland.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 While at Temple Habonim, Klein has been active in Barrington interfaith clergy activities and local social justice initiatives, and on the Board of Rabbis of Greater Rhode Island, where he served as secretary and treasurer. Asked about his plans for retirement, Klein says he’s spent more time and energy finishing up at Habonim than thinking ahead. But he knows that he’d like to work on living more in the moment. And he looks forward

to spending more time with Adam, who is still working as an artist, author and educator addressing issues of equality and inclusion. The Temple Habonim community will say farewell to Rabbi Andrew Klein on June 12 with an online Shabbat evening service. A farewell celebration is being planned for a later date. FRAN OSTENDORF ( fostendorf@ jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.

Rabbi Andrew Klein and husband Adam Mastoon taken during Temple Habonim’s trip to Cuba in January 2020. When asked for a recent photo for this article, Klein sent this one because of the importance of congregational trips during his years at Temple Habonim. These have included a 2011 Interfaith trip to Israel with the Barrington Congregational Church - United Church of Christ; a 2013 congregational trip to Eastern Europe; and a 2018 congregational family trip to Israel. PHOTOS | COURTESY RABBI KLEIN

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COMMUNITY

JCDSRI continues learning online THE JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY School of Rhode Island is excited to join together again after Passover break. The faculty and staff continue to work in partnership with parents and caregivers to provide meaningful, thoughtful and joyful learning opportunities for the students during this period of virtual learning. In addition to academics, JCDSRI maintains a strong focus on the social-emotional development of the students. Each child at JCDSRI received a special package in the mail with a new shirt to remind them that we are always together as school community even when we need to be apart to keep our families, friends, communities and ourselves safe and healthy. In the package, they re-

Emergency relief campaign helping community in need BY SARA MASRI

PHOTO | JCDSRI

ceived a familiar form, called a Hakarat Hatov (Recognizing the Good) form. They were asked to complete the form for someone in their lives who they would like to acknowledge for kindness, respect, responsibility and/or community. Students have been submitting beautiful videos recog-

nizing the good that is going on around them because they understand that even when we are apart, we still must join together to bring light and kindness into the world. Submitted by Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island

THE EMERGENCY RELIEF and Recovery Campaign has raised close to $200,000 (as of press time) to benefit members of the community who find themselves in need of assistance in these challenging times. More than 200 gifts have come in to support the efforts to provide for immediate and long-term needs such as assistance with food, utilities, rent and other essential items. The Alliance is working with community partners to distribute the funds raised to benefit individuals and families in the community. The campaign, co-chaired by Amanda Isenberg and Rich Glucksman, has a goal of $250,000, which will help meet needs for many months to come. Isenberg said, “I became involved with the campaign because the effects of COVID-19 on our community are enormous. People have been impacted socially, emotionally and financially. I wanted to do my part to help raise money and support people whose lives have been changed. My hope is that the money we have raised will make a difference to those in need and help support our community during this time.” A gift of any amount will help meet the goals and continue this important work. To make a donation, go to www.jewishallianceri.org/emergency-fund/. If you are in need of assistance, please contact Jewish Collaborative Services at 401-331-1244 (all calls are confidential). SARA MASRI is chief development officer at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

SAVE THE DATE Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island

9th Annual Meeting Wednesday, June 17 7:00pm Details to follow

A SPECIAL COMMUNITY RESPONSE EFFORT

COVID-19

RELIEF and RECOVERY FUND

You might not be able to be there with someone, but you can be there for someone. A growing number of people in our community are not sure how they will get enough food or other basic necessities for their families. We are working closely with our partners at Jewish Collaborative Services to help stabilize food insecurity within our community. A donation to the Emergency Relief and Recovery Campaign, means more than the food it provides − for many, it means peace of mind. $500 buys two weeks of groceries for a large family or several hundred items for the kosher food pantry. $180 provides a family of four with a gift card to purchase groceries for one week. $118 helps restock dry goods in the kosher food pantry, including: • 150 boxes of pasta • 30 five pound bags of rice • 48 loaves of wheat bread • 60 jars of peanut butter $72, $54, $36, $18 goes towards providing families with the staples they need each week such as milk, bread, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, canned beans/veggies/fruit. Any amount makes a difference to a family in need. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis will be felt for months to come, and the needs will grow far beyond food insecurity. To date, we have raised more than $180,000 to support this fund, but we have more to do. Please help us meet our goal of raising $250,000. On behalf of our Jewish community, we thank you for your commitment.

Richard Glucksman Amanda Isenberg Co-Chairs, Emergency Relief and Recovery Campaign Committee members: Melvin G. Alperin Susan Froehlich Jason Bazarsky Marisa Garber Mark R. Feinstein Jeffrey Padwa

Claire Perlman James Pious Dr. Steven Schechter

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP ONLINE Visit jewishallianceri.org/emergency-fund

BY PHONE Call 401.421.4111 ext. 165 Leave a message, and we will get back to you

BY MAIL Send a check to: Relief and Recovery Fund c/o Jewish Alliance 401 Elmgrove Avenue Providence, RI 02906